The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1887-01-13
,r nnon nubIic school work. so


should those who examine teachers,
and who are authorized to examine
schools (Seciion 1918, Revised
Statutes) be required to possess the
qualifications which will enable
them to fiji their Office creditably
and acceptably. A School Exam
iner should be a person of sound
scholarship, of good judgement and
sterling character. In the Ian
guage of ex-School Commissioner
DeWclf. "none but The best of men
should be appointed to this Office y
That such may be the case, the law
should more clearly stale who are
competent and who are incompetent
to fill the position of School Exam
liners.
PRESENT METHODS OF EXAAuNA-
TON DEFECTIVE.
The law nowhere specifics the
methods to he practiced in the ex-
animation of teachers. indeed, the
law scarcely requires an examina-
ton whatever. The statutes con-
tain c:ily such general provisions as
the following: "The board thus con
stituted may issue two grades of
certificates 10 sIch IS are found to
possess the requisite scholarship
and who exhibit satisfactory evi
dence OF professional experience and
ability" (Section 4OGe, Revised
Statutes); ''po person shall be em
ployed az q teacher in common
school Uho hiss not obtained from \
Board of Examiners having compe
tent jurdiction, Il certificate OF good
moral character, and that he OK
she is qualified TO teach," etc. (Sec-
tion 1904, Revised Siatntes.)
While 1t is true that large discre
tionary power should be conceded
to all Boards of School Examiners.
the law should be so framed that
justice may be secured to the ap-
plicant for certificate, This the
present lazy fails TO accomplish.
Every teachers examination
should include inquiries into the
physical. mental AID moral fitness
of the teacher fer the work 10 be
performed. Certain physical De
fccts, such as dull bearing and poor
evesight, incapacitate any person
from certain kinds of teaching. A
person may have an excellent mem
ory, but possess ACKNOWLEDGMENT
and very little executive or admin
tratIve power.
If the applicant has had expert
ence in teaching, his success or fail
ure should be taken INTO the ac-
count, and such facts as age, aims
and hp bits should be considered by
examiners AT present the exam
nation of teachers in Ohio consists
Of little more than the presentation
Of written questions prepared at
and required to be answer
cd IN given time. Such examin-
lions test merely a certain kind of
for detached or
lnclasslficd knowledge. They give
every advantage 10 callow youth,
resh from an intermediate or gram
mar school, oyer graduates of high
schools and colleges, and over
hose who, in the school of expert
,nce, have become successful teach
,rs. The set-qusstion-and answer |
method of teachers examination
ogically leads 20 the percentage
system of marking papers which
las done much toward crushing out
he life and originality of teachers
md pupils in schools, To remedy
he defects in The methods of exam
mig teachers. l recommend:
l. The election or appointment in
.ach county, of a Superintendent of
Public instruction, who shall be
* offieio the President Of the
3oard of School Examiners for his
:ouuty.
2. The printing, under the direc
ION OF state Doafh o. Education,
f test questions il tho common
ranches OF study, to lie used i'll I
on.mon branches of study. TO be
sed in county examinations.
8. The appointment oi aiI School
,xamluers 10 be confirmed by the
tate Commissioner OF Common
chools.
4. An amendment to the Consti
.tion of the State which will per-
.it women to fill the office of
chool Examiner.
Toledo Council passed an Ordin-
nee allowing saloons TO keep -,
pen on Sundays after l O'Clock if
,ov soil crlv bcnr and native WineH,